Metallic fence-post



(No Model.)

L. D. MILLER.

METALLIC FENCE POST. No. 377,323. Patented Jan. 31, 1888.

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FFICEO PATENT LA\VRENCE D. MILLER, F JACKSONVILLE, ALABAMA.

METALLIC FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 377,323, dated January 31, 1888.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be itknown that l, LAWRENOF D. MILLER, of Jacksonville, in the county of Calhoun and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Fence- Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in metallic fence-posts; and it consists in a me tallic fencepost having supports formed thereon for the ends of the rails or boards, and sharp projections to catch in the inner sides of the rails or boards to help to secure them in position, in combination with the wires, which are passed around the posts and around or through the ends of the rails or boards for the purpose of securing them in position, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a metallic fence-post which is so shaped as to bring the weight of the panels directly over the bases of the posts, and thus prevent any inclination of the fence to topple over, and to provide supports upon the sides of the post for the ends of the boards or rails, and sharp points or projections to catch in their inner sides, so as to assist in securing them in place.

Figure l is a side elevation of a fence-post embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same.

A represents a hollow metallic fence-post, which may be made of any suitable shape in cross-section, and which is bent or formed at an angle, as shown at B, just above the surface of the earth, so that the weight of the boards, rails, or wires which form the panels will be brought in a direct line with the center of the base 0 of the post, and thus prevent any inclination upon the part of the fence to lean toward one side or to be easily blown down. Around the lower portion of each post A, after the hole in which it is placed has been dug, is poured a body, D, of concrete of any suitable length, width, or thickness, and which assists in holding the post solidly in position. Any artificial stone may be shaped beforehand, leaving a hole through it for the post to be passed through, or the concrete may be poured around the post, as may be preferred. Upon one side of the post, where it is bent or formed at an angle, is formed a strengthening-flange, F, which serves to brace the post at this point. Upon the opposite side of the post from the flange F is formed one of the supports or rests G, which also forms a strengthening-flange in this position.

There will be any desired number of the rests G formed upon the side of the post, according to the number of rails, boards, or wires which are to be used in forming a panel of the fence. These rests are preferably made triangular, as here shown, and upon which the rails, boards, or wires are supported, as shown. These rests are sufficiently wide to allow the ends of two boards to overlap; but in case two rails are used and their ends are made to overlap the ends must be reduced in thickness, as shown in Fig. 1, where they overlap.

Above each rest G is formed a sharp projection, H, which catches in the inner side of the board or rail, and thus assists to center the board or rail in position upon the post. In case wires are used these projections serve to prevent any upward movement upon the part of the wires. In order to still more securely hold the boards, rails, or wires in contact with the post A, the wires I are used, and which are passed either around the rails or through holes bored in the boards, and then the ends of the wires are twisted tightly toget-her, as shown. By this construction the boards, rails, or wires of which the fence is formed are held securely in place against the posts and cannot be either thrown or blown out of position.

By means of a post constructed as here shown wires, rails, or boards may be used in making the fence something which cannot be done with any of the metallic fence-postsheretofore made. The pointed projections H, acting in connection with the rests G, act in the same manner as nails or bolts upon the boards, in the sides of the rails or boards, substantially 10 and hence add greatly to the strength of the as set forth. fence and to the value of the posts.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in Having thus described my invention, I presence of twowitnesses. 5 claim- A fence-post provided with rests or supports LAWRENCE L G for the ends of the rails or boards, and the Witnesses: sharp-pointed projections H, placed at snit- I. L. SWAN,

able distances above the rests,and which catch J. V. RHODES. 

